Antartica

hansov

A colleague of mine who loves traveling to exotic locations is considering heading to Antartica :cool: . The package cost she was quoted from the UK was huge :eek: so she is thinking of arranging it herself. She is hoping to go London- Buenos Aires- Ushuaia (which she tells me is the most southern city in the world!) I know that we have a well-traveled bunch on the boards and wonder has anybody been so far south? She is also thinking of using a smaller ship :eek: from Ushuaia rather than a cruise ship. Thoughts appreciated!

Gone West

Well, having never actually been there myself Im not very qualified to talk, but here goes.

Ive read several books on antarctica, etc. (including the endurance) and I would not go on a small ship. I would use the biggest best tour operator i could find. And insure my ass as high as I could!

iceman_2001_ie

There was a T.V. show about it last night.
It looked absolutely AMAZING.

I think they were quoting a full trip for about £2500 sterling.
That was a 12 day "expedition", full board, and you got an opportunity to go exploring on the antartic mainland.

Judging by the way the ship was rocking about on the T.V. last night, I'd seriously recommend that your friend NOT do it on the cheap.

I guess you could fly there.

douglasman

It is expensive, but the cheapest way is to get yourself to Ushuaia having not booked the Antartica trip, then hang around there for a few days waiting for a last minute cancellation. There are savings of several thousand dollars to be had doing it this way, but it is still going to cost between 2000 and 3000 dollars though, but with the euro being strong against the dollar, it's not so bad. Don't book through the UK, sterling makes everything really unnecessarily expensive. I haven't been to Antartica yet myself, been to all six main continents including Argentina in South America where Ushuaia is, it's next on my list though!

douglasman

iceman_2001_ie wrote:

I guess you could fly there.

No, you cannot fly to Antartica.

Padraig Mor

Would *love* to go there. Nearly got to go as well - had an interview with the British Antarctic Survey a few years ago for a three year posting there - came second!

There are several companies running cruises there, mostly using Russian ships; all are very expensive - 2500 stg sounds pretty good to be honest! Be aware that the opportunities to 'explore' the mainland aren't up to much. While you would get some time on sub-Antarctic islands, if you get to the mainland (very weather dependent!) it would tend to be of the 'hop off the zodiac, have a quick look around, back to the boat' variety. If you really want to get to the mainland, there is only one company that can arrange it - Quark Expeditions, but you are talking (literally) tens of thousands of dollars!

ixus

Here's alink to lastnights show Holiday, it should hae good info for you.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/holiday/destinations/antarctica/

Jambo

try explore.co.uk they seem to offer some far flung packages including antartica and the artic

seadeuce

Going diving there at end of '06 or '07. SSIA will see to that!

Check: http://www.auroraexpeditions.com for an alternative to oceanwide expeditions, which are expensive but good. Went with them to the Arctic in '00.


Seadeuce

tinkerbell

Okay, when I start working, I'm gonna save up for that Antartica adventure, my god - it sounds fabulous!!

I'd love it, far far away from civilisation, calm, peaceful, tranquil, god I so want to go!!

I think I'll just start a "send-me-to-Antartica" fund

yeraulone

douglasman wrote:

No, you cannot fly to Antartica.

oh yes you can.

through private operators but Its going to cost.